Envision Dallas Outreach Manager Honored for Empowering the Next Generation

By Beth Walker • Dec 20, 2023

Blake Lindsay, the Manager of Outreach at Envision Dallas, was recently honored with the prestigious Force for Good Award by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences at the Dallas, TX campus fall commencement ceremony. Blake's journey is truly remarkable; he has faced the challenges of total blindness since infancy due to Retinoblastoma, an eye cancer that affects the retina. Despite these obstacles, Blake's dedication to improving society's perception of blindness has been unwavering.

Having devoted thirteen years to Envision Dallas and its predecessor organization, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, Blake's impact extends beyond the organization itself. His connection to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences stems from Envision Dallas's collaboration with the institution, fostering educational experiences for Occupational Therapy (OT) program students. Blake's efforts in leading multiple tours at Envision Dallas have provided these students with valuable insights into blindness, enhancing their understanding and readiness for their careers.

Reflecting on Blake's award, Lee Ann Hoffman, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences OTD, ATP/SMS, Affiliated Faculty, OT Programs, remarked, “I love ‘“seeing’” the amount of learning and growth that each OT student cohort experiences when they spend time at Envision Dallas! We are so honored to have had opportunities to visit Envision Dallas and we consider the experiences as a staple in our occupational therapy curriculum for our future clinicians.”

Blake, during his speech to the fall commencement ceremony, stated, “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences for surprising me with your special Force for Good Award. I’m grateful for each opportunity that comes my way to be a force for good. I often think of the people who contributed various acts of kindness in my life that added value to me along the way, and I will always remember the fulfillment I found as a young man when I discovered ways that I could be a force for good for others. I quickly learned that the more I could give, the better I felt, and the more I wanted to keep on giving. I truly enjoy your visits to Envision Dallas and I know that your career choice in occupational therapy will offer you opportunities to be a frequent force for good. I wish you the best in your future success."

Blake's story not only serves as a beacon of inspiration but also highlights the transformative power of education and advocacy in breaking down barriers associated with blindness and low vision.

Blog Content